Sci Fi Taken by Series Ratings

Sci Fi Channel's $40 million miniseries, Taken, is stealing record
ratings for the network thus far.
With a 3.6 household rating for the Dec. 5
installment, the first four episodes of the highly touted Stephen
Spielberg-produced alien-abduction saga averaged a 4.2, according to Nielsen
Media Research. Although down from a 4.3 Dec. 4, Thursday's airing was still the
highest-rated in basic cable, according to a Sci Fi spokeswoman.

The Dec. 2 debut of the first of the 10 two-hour chapters captured a 4.9
rating for Sci Fi, 28 percent above what the network's previous single-show
record-holder, part one of Dune, did two years ago.

The second installment Dec. 3 posted a 4.1 rating.
Sci Fi president
Bonnie Hammer said the network was thrilled with the early ratings and
proclaimed the series a success irregardless of ratings for remaining episodes.
She added that Taken's performance established the network as a major
force in the original-programming arena.

"What this does is show the creative world and consumers that we're willing
to take creative risks, and it puts us on the map as a broader
general-entertainment vehicle within a genre," Hammer said.

"It will also give us a lot of clout within the creative community," she
added. "If we approach other Steve Spielbergs and say we're willing to take
risks, they're going to believe us and come."

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.